The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) has unveiled the first visualizations of the Estadio Centenario renovation, where matches for the 2030 World Cup will be held. The historic venue will increase its capacity to 63,000 spectators, and most of the stands will be covered with a roof.

La historia vive

The presentation of the visualizations is part of the candidacy process for Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, who will host some of the World Cup matches. FIFA has made an unprecedented decision that the tournament matches will take place in six different countries, although most of them will be concentrated in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

AUF President Ignacio Alonso, Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia, and Paraguayan Football Association (APF) President Robert Harrison met in Paris during the Olympics to present FIFA with a document titled La Historia Vive (History Lives), which is the official confirmation of their candidacy.

It was pointed out that Estadio Centenario is the biggest stage in Uruguay. It was designated as an icon of the world since the first matches of the 1930 World Cup were held there. In 1983, it was recognized as a monument of world football history by FIFA.

What will the modernization include?

Currently, Centenario can accommodate 60,000 spectators (though the capacity limit is 55,000), but it will be expanded to 63,000. A roof will be installed over most of the stadium, except for the area where the 100-meter-high Torre de los Homenajes, a cultural heritage site of Montevideo, is located. The stadium will feature internal commercial areas, special hospitality zones, and overall improved accessibility.

The América Stand will be demolished and rebuilt to harmonize with the rest of the stadium. Additionally, the pitch will be lowered by one and a half meters to improve visibility from the stands.

Will they succeed?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present at the presentation in Paris. National Sports Secretary Sebastián Bauzá explained in an interview with Referí that it has been confirmed that Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host three opening matches of the World Cup. They showed images that gave goosebumps to all of us who were there. The importance of Uruguay as the first World Cup host was highlighted, Bauzá emphasized.

Most likely, work on the Centenario stadium, as stated by President Ignacio Alonso, will begin at the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. Although no data has been published on the total estimated cost of the work, it will be an amount in the millions, jointly covered by the national government, the departmental government, and the Uruguayan Football Association.

The official deadline for submitting candidacies was Wednesday, July 31. In the last quarter of 2024, FIFA will thoroughly review the documents presented by each federation and will make a final decision by the end of the year. At that time, the venues for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups will be announced.